Clearwater FL vs Wichita KS — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 10.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 66.6% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 9.7% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $63,072 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $35,958 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,860 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 15.9% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 30.9% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 58.4% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 449 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2174 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 39.5% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.7% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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